A general view of empty bunk beds and scattered belongings inside a student dormitory at St. Marys Catholic School in Papiri, Agwarra local government, Niger state, on November 23, 2025. Fifty of the more than 300 children snatched by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria have escaped their captors, a Christian group said in a statement on November 23. "We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents," said the Christian Association of Nigeria in a statement, adding they escaped between November 21 and 22. Gunmen raided early November 21 St Mary's co-education school in Niger state in western Nigeria, taking 303 children and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria. (Photo by Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP)
Despite reports of the alleged release of 100 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, the Niger State Government and the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) both stated last night that they had not received any official communication to confirm the release.
The chief press secretary to the governor of Niger state, Bologi Ibrahim, told our correspondent yesterday night that the government is still checking with federal authorities, as reported by The Nation.
He further mentioned that we will publish an update as soon as we acquire confirmed data.
Similarly, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, who is also the Proprietor of St. Mary’s Catholic Schools and the Bishop of the Kontagora Catholic Diocese, and the Chairman of the Niger State CAN, stated that they had not received any official notification of a release.
Bishop Yohanna expressed his hope for the release of some of their children in a statement made through his media aide. If this is true, it would be wonderful news, as we have been hoping and praying for their return.
Having said that, we have not been officially informed and do not know about it. Our hearts long for the liberation of the other children, and we hope and pray that this is indeed the case.
Keep in mind that news broke late yesterday that the US administration had freed 100 kidnapped pupils from a Catholic school in Niger State.
The reports, however, failed to mention if the alleged release was secured by paying a ransom.
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